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Coeur d’Alene legislator faces challenger who hopes to defund Idaho budget of federal money
As he seeks a third term in the Legislature, Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, faces a challenge from a local real estate attorney who’s gone on the attack – criticizing Malek as too young and inexperienced to represent Coeur d’Alene in the Legislature, saying, “He hasn’t built anything in his life to speak of, including a family, a business, or anything else.”
Primary is only contest in matchup between Cheatham, Riggs for Idaho’s District 3
First-term state representative and area newcomer Don Cheatham says he was motivated to become an Idaho legislator to “give back” after a career in law enforcement in southern California and work in homeland security in Washington, D.C., and that’s also why he’s seeking a second term in the Idaho House. “I want to give something back to my community,” said Cheatham, 70, who moved to North Idaho in 2012 with his wife Lynn. Peter Riggs, 36, a North Idaho native, is running against him; with no Democrats running, the winner of the GOP primary will take the office.
Beck, Heileson facing misdemeanor charges for concealing source of campaign donation
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has charged two Republicans involved in a highly-scrutinized political action committee for allegedly hiding the source of campaign contributions. Bonneville GOP Chairman Doyle Beck and former congressional candidate M.C. “Chick” Heileson were charged…
Conservative North Idaho legislator faces challenge from the right
In one of Idaho’s most conservative legislative districts, the seat formerly held by tax-protesting state Rep. Phil Hart has been going through some political evolution.
Idaho bar survey ranks three high court hopefuls highly, but not a fourth
Three of the candidates seeking an open Idaho Supreme Court seat were highly rated in a survey of members of the Idaho State Bar, but the fourth, state Sen. Curt McKenzie, drew much lower ratings from lawyers across the state, who rated the candidates on factors including integrity, independence, judicial temperament and legal experience.
State Bar survey finds Gutierrez, Brody tied for top scores, Strong second, McKenzie trailing way behind
The Idaho State Bar survey is out, surveying attorneys in Idaho about the four candidates for the Idaho Supreme Court. The results: Robyn Brody and Sergio Gutierrez tied for the top rankings, both getting an overall average score, statewide, of 3.58 out of 4. Clive…
Campaign finance reform initiative submits 79K signatures for verification
Supporters of a statewide effort seeking to amend Idaho’s campaign finance laws have collected roughly 79,000 signatures with the hopes of getting their initiative on the November ballot. Holli Woodings, chair of the Keep Idaho Elections Accountable campaign, says that her group sent the last batch of signatures…
Eye on Boise: Idaho GOP hopes for very different state convention this time
Idaho Republican Party Chairman Steve Yates struck an optimistic tone as he announced the state party convention, which is set for June 2-4 at the Idaho Center in Nampa. “This convention will serve to unite and launch the party into the 2016 general election from a position of strength,” Yates said. That stands in stark contrast to the 2014 convention, which ended in disarray without setting an agenda or doing any of its scheduled business.
Four vie for rare open seat on Idaho’s highest court
The top race on the Idaho ballot on May 17 isn’t in either the Republican or Democratic primary – it’s the nonpartisan race for an open seat on the Idaho Supreme Court, a rare contested race that’s drawn four candidates. Everyone who votes in the primary election, regardless of party, can vote in the Supreme Court race.
Dem hopeful Jerry Sturgill kicks off campaign against Sen. Crapo
When Boise businessman Jerry Sturgill threw his hat into the ring as the Democratic candidate running against GOP U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo last month, he just quietly filed; today, Sturgill sent out a news release formally announcing his candidacy. “I will bring a new approach…
Gutierrez runs for justice on court-access platform
When newly appointed Idaho Judge Sergio Gutierrez traveled from Canyon County to Weiser for his first first-degree murder trial in 1993, he was surprised by what he found there. The court interpreter assigned to the Spanish-speaking defendant wasn’t translating accurately. “And of course, I know Spanish,” Gutierrez said – it was his first language.
Strong lines up endorsements from all sides in bid for Idaho high court
Clive Strong has amassed endorsements from an array of prominent Idahoans for his run for the Idaho Supreme Court, from former governors of both parties to industry, business and education leaders and elected officials. He’s even been endorsed by both sides in a long-running water fight that affects much of the southern part of the state, “despite their differences,” Strong said; he was the state’s lead attorney in the biggest legal case in Idaho history, the Snake River Water Rights Adjudication, and has argued numerous cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and two before the U.S. Supreme Court.
McKenzie taps former Sen. John McGee to help with his Supreme Court campaign
Idaho Supreme Court candidate Curt McKenzie has hired former state Sen. John McGee — who resigned several years ago following highly publicized scandals — to help with his campaign. McKenzie, a Republican senator, says McGee is a longtime friend and he is proud to have him part of the team. McGee…